Trap-door for railway-cars and similar structures.



0. M. EDWARDS. TRAP DOOR FOR RAILWAY oARs AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED IEIB.5, 1908.

Patented Dec. 7. 1909.

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TRAP DOOR FOR RAILWAY CARS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED I'EB. 5, 190B. 942,7 1 9. Patented Dec. 7. 1909.

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Oliver .Edwards am an.

OLIVER M. EDWARDS, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TRAP-DOORFOR RAILWAY-CARS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. '7 1909.

Application filed February 5, 1908. Serial No. 414,326.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER M. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, county of Onondaga, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trap-Doors for Railway- Cars and Similar Structures, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the drawings accompanying the same.

This invention relates generally to the construction of metal trap-doors for cars and similar structures, such for instance as are used to cover and uncover the steps leading to and from the end platforms of passenger cars.

One of its objects is to provide a light, easily constructed "and eflicient metal door of this general class; another object is to so construct such a door out of-metal that it will be sufficiently strong and rigid to do the Work required of it and at the same time be of comparatively light weight and read ily handled. I

\Vith these objects in view the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed forming a part of this specification. I

It has been found in use that trap-doors made of wood, as has heretofore commonly been done, in order to prove sufficiently strong and rigid, required some little thick ness of material to be used and this necessarily makes such doors occupy more space than is usually desirable. Such doors in use are subjected to severe strains and are more or less wrenched which tendsto weaken and destroy them and this many times seriously interferes with the quick and easy handling of the same for the ingress and e ress of passengers. These trap-doors, like t e platformor vestibule floors, where they are used, have to receive a covering having a surface adapted to prevent passengers and others using the cars from slipping thereon and this material, whether what is known as rubber tiling or other material be used, occupies some space and necessarily has to be secured in place against displacement in the quick and more or less violent use to which such doors are subjected by the persons having charge of the opening and closing of the same.

Figure 1 shows in plan view a door and a section of a car or vestibule platform illus trating generally the door when in the closed position, a portion of the upper covering of the door being broken away. Fig. 2 shows in cross section that which is seen on line 2-2 in Fig. v1, but with the covering in place. Fig. 3 shows on an enlarged scale that which is seen at the right of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a modified form of construction of the plate of the door. Fig. 5 illustrates in plan view the reinforclng parts seen in dotted lines in Fig. 1, which are attached to the under side .of the door, when such parts are secured together and ready to be secured to the door by rivets or otherwise. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 reinforcing part of the door seen in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is cross sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5 showing the formation of such reinforcing portion. -Fi 8 shows in plan view a modified form 0 reinforcing parts. Fig. 9 shows in cross section that which is seen on line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 shows in cross section-that which is seen on line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Like letters of reference, wherever they occur, indicate corresponding parts in .the several figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, A re resents the car or vestibule platform in which the door B is hung so as to be opened and closed by any suitable form of means desired. As, shown a well'known form of hinge mechanism connects the door to the platform so that it may be readily moved in opening and closing the same. The door B as shown,

is made up of a frame C preferably adapted to form the outer edge of such door, a

plate D, reinforcing ribs d d, which are -se= cured to such plate and the tiling E, secured to. the plate D within the frame 0. The

plate D is preferably a thin, flat plate of metal-of a size to be received by and be secured to the frame G. The frame 0 ma be made from'any desired form of inateria such as angle-iron or other shapes, prop erly secured together at the corners and adapted to receive and have securedthereto the plate D. As hereshown special forms or shapes of frame material are employed having certain features adapting the frame to serve purposes ordinary angle-iron would not serve. Such special forms of frame material receive and hold the plate D to the desired extent and also aid in holding the tiling in place. These frames are madeof the desired shape to fill to the desired extent the opening in the platform.

As shown the frame G is madeup of side and front angle pieces and a rear pieceadapted to receive the hinge by which-the trap door is hung in the vestibule platform to open and close the opening therein. This hinge portion 0 of the frame C is preferably struck up out of comparatively thin sheet steel in the shape shown, so that theplate I) may be received thereby and secured thereto. hen in the shape thus seen the parallel portions of the rear or hinge portion of the frame C are brought near enough together to receive the plate D between them and permit of such portions being secured thereto by rivets or otherwise, as desired. This manner of securing the hinge portion of the frame C to the plate D strengthens the connection between both. This construction of the hinge portion of the frame C also permits of securing the rear end portions ofthe side pieces 0' and c to such hinge portion,

as indicated in Fig. 1, thus tying such side pieces to the hinge portion in addition to securing all of such pieces or portions to the plate D. The front piece or portion a of the frame C is preferably secured to the end pieces 0 and c by means of the plate-D and rivets, as shown in Fig. 1. These side and front ieces c c and c are referabl rovided with upstanding extensions, as shown, to serve the purposes heretofore referred to. The exterior or outermost surfaces of these upstanding extensions of the side and front portions of the frame 0 are preferably not made perpendicular to the plate D, but are out of such perpendicular so as to widen the door as the top surface thereof is approached, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. With this construction of these extensions the trap-door, if it binds at all in the opening of the platform, the side and front edges will bind only .at or near the top surface thereof and as the door begins to open the binding of the door is lessened and continues to lessen as the opening continues until the door has passed beyond the edges of the opening in the platform, the same as is the case with the construction of trapdoor bindings shown and described in my Patent No. 847,559 dated March 19, 1907. As here shown the plate D,is secured to the frame C by rivets, this being thought to be the preferable means for securely holding the arts together, but other means may be elnp oyed if desired.

The plate D, as shown, is suitably reinforced and stiffened by ribs 01 and d, preferably struck up out of thin sheet metal so as to make the door as light as thought desirable in each case. As shown in Fig. 2-

tions cut away to receive the other one and the two ribs cross one another at substantially right angles and are secured together by riveting at their deepest or bottom portions and the use of angle pieces arranged within the bent 'up or recessed portions of such ribs where such pieces are entirely hid from view when the ribs are secured to the plate D, as shown. There are preferably four angle pieces, 6, e, e and 6 as shown, which are preferably made from comparatively thin sheet metal having the edges thereof turned up as shown in Fig. 5 to strengthen the same.

The rib d as shown, is continuous and its upstanding side edges are uncut at its central portion, but the'rib d has its'upst-anding side edges cut away so as to permit the bottom portion of such rib to rest directly against the bottom portion of rib d, the two ribs being arranged as shown. The bottom portion of the rib d is preferably bent or depressed to an extent of about the thickness of the metal out of which the ribs are made, so as to bring all of the flanges on the upstanding side edges of such ribs of substantially the same height or in line with one another. The angle pieces 6 and e are preferably arranged outside of the upstanding side edges of the rib d so that the central portions of such pieces may engage with and be riveted to the continuous side edges of that rib and the end portions of such angle pieces may engage with and be riveted to the remaining or uncut away side edge portions of the rib 03. These angle pieces 6 and 6 when secured to the upstanding side edges of the ribs 01' and d in the manner just mentioned secure the respective side edges of such ribs together andform substantially rigid connections between the ribs to hold them from being moved relatively to one I nect the upstanding side edges of the rib d by engaging the interior surfaces thereof and-being fixedly secured to such edges. As shown in this Fig. 5 these angle pieces 6 and e are secured to the side edges of rib d by means of the rivet-s which secure the angle pieces e and e to the exterior sur-;

faces of such rib passing through the end portions of such angle pieces 6 and e, as well as through the central portions of the angle pieces 6 and c. From this, it will be seen that the central portions of the angle pieces a and e are secured to the end portions of the pieces 6 and e and also to the upstanding edges of the rib d. This forms a very strong and stiff connection between the Cl'O"lng portions of the ribs (1 and (Z and makes one rib substantially as strong and stiff as the other notwithstanding that the upstanding side edges of one, where the two cross. are cut away. This arrangement not only strengthens the ribs against lateral movement but also strengthens them against movement in the direction of the upstanding side edges, thus strengthening the ribs in two different directions, one of which is at an angle to the other. If desired these ribs may be constructed as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, instead of as shown in preceding figures and the same be secured together, if desired, as there shown. As thus shown the rib (F has its bent up portions continuous throughout the central or crossing portion thereof and the rib d in its corresponding portion is bent so as to more or less closely fit over the exterior surface of the rib (P. This permits the securing of the flanges of the two ribs together by rivets, as shown, or

otherwise, if one desires to directly securesuch ribs to one another. The manner of securing the outer portions of the upstanding edges of the ribs together as shown strengthens such ribs in substantially the manner that the use of the angle pieces 6 and 0' does in the onstruction seen in preceding figures.

The ribs d and d are to be secured to the plate 1) after the manner the ribs d and d are secured thereto, if desired, and when this is done such plate and the trap door of which it forms a part is stiffened and made sufficiently rigid in handling without the door occupying undue space, when in the open position. to interfere with the full opening of the vestibule door for the ingress or egress of passengers to or from the car. These ribs whatever their construction may be are to be secured to the plate D in any desired manner which will enable them to cooperate with the plate as hereinbefore set forth. As shown rivets are employed for this purpose and this is thought to be the best and most expeditions manner of securing the two together, but any desired means may be employed, because such manner is not material part of this invention. These ribs necessaril strengthen and stiffen the plate, as D,- and eep it from unduly yielding or twisting in use which is important in doors of this general class. The plate, as D, is left flat on its uppermost surface without depressions or promotions and consequently the rubber tiling, as E, may be secured thereto without the use of filling material as would have to be done if depressions or projections were present. These ribs can be made and attached to the plate, as D, without twisting or otherwise distorting it, and this tends to lessen the cost of constructing these doors.

In each of the embodiments herein shown the reinforcing means is so formed and ary ranged relatively to the plate to'which it is secured that such means bear upon the plate and are secured thereto at different points some of which are adjacent to the edges of the plate and others centrally thereof and each of the different portions of such reinforcing means extends from the central portion of the plate toward the edges thereof with the farthermost portions of such means at different distances therefrom as the edges of the plate are approached with the result that the major portions of such reinforcing means are held away from and out of contact with the plate to which such means is attached by the minor portions thereof which are formed and arranged to bear against the plate, to reinforce and strengthen the same, whereby a minimum weight of material is required to give the maximum reinforcing action of such means upon the plate.

Instead of the plate, as D,'being constructed and attached to the frame, as C, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it may, if desired, be made as indicated in Fig. 4 where the front and side edges are turned up relatively to the body thereof so as to receive the rubber tiling, as E, and the extensions of the front and side portions of the frame, as C, are omitted, as seen in this Fig. 4. When this is done the frame 0 may be of ordinary angle-iron construction as seen in Fig. 4, or of any form desired which will serve the purpose. As shown in Fig. 4 the plate, as D is turned up at the front and side edges so as to form upj is received between the parallel portions of the rear or hinge portion, as c, of the frame. C, the upper one of the two parallel portions being preferably formed to receive'the tiling, as E, as is the case with the front and side portions of such frame. hinge shown is of the general construction set forth in Letters Patent No. 781,643, but any form or construction desired may, be

used because the special-form or construc-' tion shown is not a'material part of this invention. This special form of binge has been in common use for some years and is so well known thatit is not deemed necessary to describe the construction in detail.

The form of,

YAs is well known the special feature, generally stated, of this construction is the use of a. torsional spring or springs, the stress of which can be readily adjusted, for assisting in opening the door. The rear or hinge portionras c, of the frame, as C, provides a space for these springs, (not shown) one end of which engages with the door and the other end engages with the platform to which the door 1s hin ed, as is well known and as set forth in sa d Patent No. 781,643 to which reference is made for a more detailed description.

What vI have herein shown and described will naturally suggest to those skilled in this art other specific embodiments of this invention and also modifications in the construction and arrangements of parts wherein substantially the same results maybe accomplished by combinations of elements or devices having essentially the 'sameinode of operation as the combinations have that are particularly pointed out in the claims here-- unto annexed, hence I do not wish to limit my invention to the specific forms and arrangements herein shown and described, but desire to include all forms and arrangements which embody the spirit of my invention and which have substantially the same mode of operation as do the s ecific parts and arrangements herein set orth.

What claim as new is: p 1. Ina trap door for the vestibule of a I railway ear the combination, substantially as set forth, ofa flat plate adapted to form the main portion of such door and to receive hinge portions for mounting the same in place, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate and adapted to be secured thereto with portions thereof atvarying distances therefrom, which distances vary from the central portion ofthe plate outwardly toward the hinge and front side portions of the door, and securing means adapted to attach such reinforcing means to the plate and thereby strengthen and stiffen the same.

2. Ina trap door for the vestibule of a railway car the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat plate adapted to form the main portion of such door and to receive.

hingeport-ions for mounting the same in place, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate, different portions of which, when secured to the plate, are adapted to reinforce and strengthen the same in two directions, one at an angle to the other, with the major portions thereof held away from and out of contact with the plate by the minor portions which contact with and bear against such plate, and means adapted to Y secure the minor-portions of the reinforcing means .to the plate to reinforce and strengthen the same.

3. In a trap door for the vestibule of a as set forth, of a flat plate forming the main portion of the door and adapted to receive hinge portions for mountin the same in place, reinforcing ribs forme separate from such plate out of sheet metal and adapted to be secured thereto at the edges of such ribs, and securing means adapted to secure such ribs to the plate, thereby strengthening and stiffening the same. i

4. In a trap door the combination, sub stantially as set forth, of a plate forming the main portion of the door and adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, rein-forcing ribs formed out of thin metal and adapted tocross one another" with the edge portions thereof in a common plane and adapted to bear against the plate when secured thereto, and securing means thereto and extend above the upper-surface thereof to stiffen that portion of such plate, a hinge portion adapted to extend substantially across the door, a stifiening piece adapted to be attached to the opposite edge portion of the plate and stiffen the same,

reinforcing ribs formed separate from suchplate by bending and adapted tobe secured thereto at different points adjacent to the opposite edges of such ribs and at an angle to the hinge portion of the door, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means, hinge portion and strengthening piece to the plate, thereby strengthening and stiffening the same against loads placed thereon.

(3. In a trap door for the vestibule of a railway car the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate forming the main portion of the door and adapted to receive a hinge portion, a hinge portion adapted to extend clear across such plate upon opposite sides thereof and extend. above and below the upper and lowersurfaces of such plate and be secured thereto and stiffen the same, an angle stiffening piece adapted to be attached to the opposite edge portion of the plate and stiffen-the same, reinforcing means separate fromthe plate and adapted to be secured thereto between the hinge and angle stiflt'ening piece attached to such plate, and

securing means adapted to attach the reinforcing means to the plate and thereby strengthen and stiffen the central portion of the same 7. In a trap door for the vestibule of a railway car the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat plate adapted to form railway car the combination, substantially i the main portion of the door and receive tact with the plate and hinge portions for mounting the same in place, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate and havingedge portions adapted to contact with and be secured to the plate at points in a common plane, and securing means adapted to secure such means to the plate at different points where such means contact therewith to strengthen and stiffen the same against loads placed thereupon.

S. In a trap door for the vestibule of a railway car the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat plate forming the main portion of the door and adapted to receive hinge portions for mounting the same in place, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate by bending, the minor portions of such means being adapted to conto be secured thereto at points of contact therewith and hold the major portions of such means a distance away from the plate in position to strengthen and stiffen the same, and securing means adapted to secure the minor portions of the reinforcing means to the plate at points where such means contact therewith, whereby the plate is reinforced and strengthened against loads placed thereupon.

9. In a trap-door the combination, sub

stantially as set forth of a frame adapted to receive a plate and extend upwardly beyond the upper surface of the same, a plate secured to such frame reinforcing means separate from the plate and adapted to be secured thereto, and securing means adapted to attach the reinforcing means to the plate for stiffening the same.

10. In a trap-door, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a frame the hinge portion of which is adapted to engage with opposite surfaces of a plate which is to be secured to such frame, a plate secured to the frame, the upstanding portions of the frame extending above the upper surface of the plate, reinforcing means separate from the plate and adapted to be secured thereto, and securing means (fidapted to attach the reinforcing means t the plate for stiffening the same.

11. In a trap-door the con'ibination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, reinforcing ribs formed out of sheet metal and adapted to cross one another, securing means adapted to secure the two ribs together means adapted to attach such ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

12, In a trap-door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate-adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, reinforcing ribs formed out of sheet metal and adapted to cross one another, angle pieces adapted to be inserted in the space between the ribs and plate and to where they cross, and.

be secured in place to strengthen the ribs where they cross, and means adapted to attach the ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

13. In a trap-door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted'to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, reinforcing ribs formed out of sheet metal and adapted to cross one another, means adapted to'secure the two ribs together at different points where they cross one another to strengthen them against lateral movement, and securing means adapted to attach the reinforcing ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

' 14. In a trap-door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, reinforcing ribs having upstanding portions provided with flanges, and adapted to cross one another, means arranged between the upstanding portions of the ribs and adapted to connect portions of onerib with portions of the other, and securing means adapted to attach the ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

15. In a trap-door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in place, reinforcing ribs having upstanding portions and adapted to cross one another, angle pieces arranged adjacent to the upstanding portions of both ribs and adapted to be secured thereto, and securing means adapted to attach the ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

16. In a trap-door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hingingthe same in place, reinforcing ribs having upstanding portions and adapted to cross one another, angle pieces formed out of sheet metal with bent up edges to strengthen the same arranged between the upstanding portions of the ribs and adapted to connect one portion of one rib with portions of the other, and securing means adapted to attach'the ribs to the plate to stiffen the same.

17. In a trap-door platform, the combination, substantially as set forth, of an open ing in the platform adapted to receive the door, a door frame adapted to receive a plate and be hinged in such opening, portions of which frame opposite adjacent portions of the opening in the platform are tapered or beveled so that such portions of the frame first engage with the adjacent portions of the opening near the top of the platform surface, a plate secured to the frame, reinforcin means separate from the plate adapted to curing means adapted to attach the reinforcing means to the plate for stiffening the same.

18. In a trap-door platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of an open- I ing in the platform adapted to receive a door and have the same hinged therein, which door at its edges is provided with portions extendin above the main portion thereof toreceive the tiling or similar material to be secured thereto, reinforcing means adapted to be attached to such door, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the main portion of such door for stiffening the same.

19. In a trap-door platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of'a frame adapted to receive a plate, a plate having upstanding edge portions and adapted to be secured to the frame, reinforcing means adapted to be secured to the plate, and securing means adapted to attach the rein forcing means to the plate for stiffening the same.

20. In a trap-door platform. the combination, substantially as set forth, of a fiat plate adapted to receive hinge portions for mounting the same in place, reinforcing means formed in two pieces one crossing the other and which are secured together whereythey cross and both are adapted to contact with and be secured to the plate adjacent to the edges of such pieces, and securing means adapted to secure such reinforcing means to the plate for stiffening the same against loads laced thereupon.

21. n a trap-door platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in an opening in the platform, reinforcing means formed in two pieces out of sheet metal, one piece crossing the other and the two are secured together-by means which attaches one to the other to strengthen the same, and securing means adapted to secure the two pieces ofthe reinforcing means together and to the plate for strengtheni'ng the same.

22. In a trap-door or platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of, a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in an opening in the platform, reinforcing means formed in two pieces out of sheet metal, one piece crossing the other and the two are secured together by angle pieces secured to each piece, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the platefor strengthening the same. v

'23. In a trap-door platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in an opening in the platform, reinforcing means consisting of two ribs formed out of sheet metal, one crossing the other, angle pieces inserted within one rib and secured to bothribsfor connecting and strengthening the two where they cross one another, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means, to the plate for stiffening the same.

24. In a trap-door platform the combination, substantially as set forth, (if a plate adapted to receive hinge portions for hinging the same in an opening in the platform, reinforcing means consisting of two ribs formed out of sheet metal one crossing the other, angle pieces'inserted in one of the ribs and secured to the side wallsthereof for strengthening such rib, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to where the two cross, and securing means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the. plate.

26. In "a platform trapdoor the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat metal plate, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate and adapted to be secured thereto with the major portions thereof arranged at varying distances therefrom, which distances vary in different directions relativelyto the surface of the plate to which the reinforcing means is secured, hinging means adapted to hinge the platein the platform, and means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the plate and thereby reinforce and strengthen the same against loads placed thereupon.

27. In a platform trap door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat metal plate, means adapted to hinge the plate in the platform, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate by bending and provided with ortions adapted to contact therewith and e secured thereto with the major portions of such means held away from and out of contact with the plate by the contacting portions which, when secured in place, contact with and bear against such plate, and means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the plate in position to reinforce and strengthen the same against loads placed thereupon. 28. In a platform trap door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat metal plate, means adapted to hinge the plate in the platform, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate by bending and provided with ortions adapted to con? efs'ecu'red thereto with" the major portions of such means held away from and out of contact with the plate at tact therewith and varying distances therefrom by such coiitacting portions which are adapted to bear against the plate, and means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the plate in position to reinforce and strengthen the same against loads placed thereupon.

29. In a platform trap door the combination, substantially as set forth, of a flat metal plate, means adapted to hinge the plate in the platform, reinforcing means formed separate from the plate by bending, different portions of which, when secured to the plate, are adapted to reinforce and strengthen the plate in a plurality of directions, each at an angle to another and to the plate, the minor portions of such means being arranged to contact with the plate and hold the major portions of such means away therefrom, and means adapted to secure the reinforcing means to the plate to reinforce and strengthen the same against loads placed thereupon.

30. A reinforced platform trap door com prising a metal plate having a flat surface for one side thereof, hinglng means for hinging the door in the platform and reinforcing means formed separate from the plate corresponding portions of which are of substantially the same dimensions and are secured to such plate at difierent points with the furthermost portions of such means held away therefrom at varyin distances by other portions formed at angles to such furthermost portions;

31. A reinforced platform trap door comprising a metal plate having a flat surface for one side thereof and adapted to receive hing'ing means for mounting the door in the platform and reinforcing means having a plurality of ortions formed separate from the plate by ending and which are secured thereto at differentpoints at varying distances therefrom which distances lessen as the edges of such plate are approached to reinforce and strengthen the door.

32. A reinforced platform trap door comrising a metal plate having a flat surface or one side thereof, hinging means for hinging the door in the platform and reinforcing means formed separate from the plate by bending and having portions secured to the plate at different points and other portions arranged at angles to and between such port-ions to hold the major portions of such means away from the plate at diflerent points to reinforce and strengthen the door.

33. A reinforced platform trap door comprising a fiat metal plate adapted to receive means for hinging it in the platform and reinforcing means, portions of which are formed by bending sheet metal to the desired shape and securing the same to the plate at different points to hold the major port-ions of such means away from the plate with free spaces between such portions and plate to which such means are secured, thereby strengthening and stiffening the door.

OLIVER M. EDWARDS. Witnesses:

GEORGE G. NORRIS, KATHRYNE S. GARVIN. 

